NPR's 'From the Top' will be from Chautauqua

By Erik Van Rheenen Staff writer

July 19, 2012 12:01 AM

By Erik Van Rheenen Staff writer

July 19, 2012 12:01 AM

HIGHLIGHTS

More to see, do

For kids: Master puppeteer Hobey Ford will bring his handcrafted animal puppets to life in Smith-Wilkes Hall on Tuesday for his performance of "Animalia." If you can't make it to his 5 p.m. performance, don't worry: he'll go again at 7. (Free with admission.)

Music: The Institute will show off its Chautauqua School of Music faculty and symphony orchestra members when the Chautauqua Chamber Winds perform Monday. The wind players will take the stage at Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall at 4 p.m. (Free with admission.)

Symphony: The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus will perform in the Amphitheater on Saturday with soloists Janice Chandler-Eteme and Tyler Duncan. ($40.)

Theater: Bratton Theater will stage the world premiere of "50 Ways," a romantic comedy written by Kate Fodor. The show opens on Friday and runs until July 29. ($30.)

Plan ahead

Music: It's been 50 years since Peter, Paul and Mary's first album debuted. But Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey will continue their legacy at the Amphitheater on July 27 with songs such as "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Blowin' in the Wind." ($40.)

NPR's Christopher O'Riley will be at Chautauqua Institution's Amphitheater on July 20, 2012, for a live taping of his radio program, "From the Top." CONTRIBUTED/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Most radio show hosts have the luxury of broadcasting from a quiet studio. National Public Radio's Christopher O'Riley prefers a more hands-on approach.

O'Riley, who hosts "From the Top," will tape live at the Amphitheater on Friday. The pianist turned radio personality showcases the nation's brightest young classical musicians.

The show will feature two of the Institution's own: violinist Laura Park and violinist Allie Switala. This is Switala's second gig on "From the Top." She first appeared with the Aurelia String Quartet.

The show focuses on the musical chops of young classical musicians. But, O'Riley also talks to the artists about more personal stories.

His stop at Chautauqua marks one of O'Riley's travels to the nation's concert halls. He's taped 250 shows live from 33 states during his 12-year radio career.

The radio personality used to juggle his NPR show with a documentary-styled TV program on PBS, "From the Top Live at Carnegie Hall." The series lasted for two seasons before it ended in 2011.

The episode taped at the Amphitheater will air nationally during the week of Oct. 22. It'll also hit Buffalo radio station Classical 94.5 on Oct. 27, with two shows at 9 a.m. and prime time at 8 p.m.

After the Amphitheater, O'Riley will take his show over to Beijing, China, for the last two summer tapings. He'll broadcast live from the Great Wall.

O'Riley has also recruited guest musicians in recent years, including Yo Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" fame.

He takes it from the top Friday at 8:15 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS

More to see, do

For kids: Master puppeteer Hobey Ford will bring his handcrafted animal puppets to life in Smith-Wilkes Hall on Tuesday for his performance of "Animalia." If you can't make it to his 5 p.m. performance, don't worry: he'll go again at 7. (Free with admission.)

Music: The Institute will show off its Chautauqua School of Music faculty and symphony orchestra members when the Chautauqua Chamber Winds perform Monday. The wind players will take the stage at Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall at 4 p.m. (Free with admission.)

Symphony: The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus will perform in the Amphitheater on Saturday with soloists Janice Chandler-Eteme and Tyler Duncan. ($40.)

Theater: Bratton Theater will stage the world premiere of "50 Ways," a romantic comedy written by Kate Fodor. The show opens on Friday and runs until July 29. ($30.)

Plan ahead

Music: It's been 50 years since Peter, Paul and Mary's first album debuted. But Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey will continue their legacy at the Amphitheater on July 27 with songs such as "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Blowin' in the Wind." ($40.)